History of MAZDA R360 Coupe

This is not limited to automobiles, but I think there is a unique beauty to transitional mechanisms.

Especially when you have to outwit your opponents in a new field, you can find a mutated and

Machines with strong originality and innovation are inevitably born. I was strongly fascinated by kei cars from the 50's and 60's.

That's the reason why.

In this era, a wide variety of manufacturers, both commercial and passenger, are planning to enter the automobile industry, or risking their survival to create unique light trucks.

unveiled the car. In this article, we will focus on the Epoch, which is the most unique and not so naive among the several cars built according to this uniquely Japanese standard.

I would like to put the spotlight on the car that can be said to be one of the makings.

When I hear this, I think most people will think of the name Subaru 360, but regarding Subaru, there are many things that can be said to be absolutely documentary.

I can see clearly that no matter how hard I try, it will only be a poor copy. Therefore, although it is temporary,

I decided to pick up the Mazda R360 Coupe, which was called East and West Yokozuna along with Bal.

The History of MAZDA

　Here, I would like to review the history of Mazda, a company that led up to the R360 Coupe.

　Mazda's history is one of the oldest among the ten remaining automobile companies in Japan today. However, the start surprisingly had nothing to do with automobiles.

It all started with cork production.

　The post-World War I recession was a catastrophe for many small and medium-sized businesses, just like a storm over a fleet of ships. From Meiji to Taisho

Kiyotani Shokai, which operated a cork bottle factory in Hiroshima City, was no exception.

It was on the verge of bankruptcy. Therefore, Shinpachi Kaizuka, president of the Hiroshima Industrial Bank, played a central role in rebuilding the company as a company organization and rescuing it.

Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., which was established on January 31, 1920, was the predecessor of Mazda. The address is 10 Nakajima Shinmachi, Hiroshima City, and the capital is 50.

10,000 yen (about 1.5 billion yen today).

Mr. Kaizuka was appointed as the first president, and Jujiro Matsuda was appointed as a director at this time. Jujiro was born in Niho, Hiroshima Prefecture.

45 years old at the time. After working as an apprentice at a blacksmith and as a machinist at a naval arsenal, he became an independent businessman and was involved in the manufacture of weapons in Osaka.

Unable to get along, he left the company and returned to his hometown of Hiroshima, where he had just started anew. However, in the merchant town of Osaka, he was called "Ima Taiko".

He is a man of great success. He quickly demonstrated his ability, and in March 1925, he assumed the position of the second president.

The company grew steadily through extensive facility expansion and aggressive management.

But the good things didn't last. Due to the bankruptcy of a customer due to the Great Kanto Earthquake, and a fire at a factory that caused further damage, the company

was hit hard.

Jujiro struggles to raise money and barely succeeds in rebuilding the company.

I decided to enter the machinery sector, my specialty.

In June 1927, Toyo Cork added the machinery business to its corporate objectives, and in September changed its name to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd., supported by steady orders from the military arsenal.

boomed.

Then, in 1929, as part of Jujiro's policy that "a company must have its own product"

I did a fact-finding survey of the car. Reflecting the results, the design team including engineer Seizo Takebayashi immediately began designing motorcycles and tricycles.

In 1999, he successfully prototyped six 2-stroke 250cc motorcycles based on Francis Barnett and Danelt. As an aside, this prototype

In October of the same year, Ip won the motorcycle race held at the Hiroshima West Parade Ground, defeating the prestigious British Ariel and others, and made Toyo Kogyo's name a world-wide phenomenon.

I decided to let you know.

Luckily, in February 1953, the standards for small vehicles under the Ministry of Home Affairs Traffic Control Regulations were expanded and revised.

A wheeled prototype was also completed in the fall. In October 1931, the memorable “Mazda-go DA-type” No. 1 car was put on the market.

The trademark MAZDA is derived from Aura Mazda, the fire worshiping god of light, and is of course also the name of the company's founder. At the time, it was an epoch-making program.

A single frame made of less steel, a transmission with reverse, a rear axle with a differential gear (D in DA type means with differential),

The Mazda-go DA model, which has a strong engine with an aluminum alloy cylinder head, expanded the transportation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises due to the boom in military demand from the beginning of the following year.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, sales increased steadily.

After that, due to the rapid increase in demand for three-wheeled trucks and the name value of Mitsubishi Corporation, which was in charge of sales, the name of Mazda was changed to Japan.

Known all over the country, the DB, which is an improved version of the DA type, the DC type, the TCS type with increased durability, and the GB type series after the war,

With the announcement of the KC type, Mazda made its name immovable. In addition, in 1940, while the wartime control became stricter, the 1937 model Auss

A prototype of a four-wheel passenger car modeled on the Chin Seven has also been completed.

This car was a box type with a water-cooled 4-cylinder 1000cc engine, and had sufficient performance for practical use. Tokinosuke Murao (later managing director, deceased) who was an employee at the time

There is also an anecdote that he rode it to work and turned it upside down in a rice field. Toyo Kogyo's excellent technical capabilities at the time

It can be said that this is a phenomenon that allows us to catch a glimpse of what happened.

　During the war, the production of munitions such as rifles was the main focus, but after the war, in December 1945, when the scars of the atomic bombing were still fresh, a pre-war three-wheeled GA truck was built.

Reproduced with raw material stock and quickly returned to the industry. Of course, we did not neglect the development of new products.

Jiro Kosugi, who opened the office, was appointed as an industrial designer (called a craft designer at the time) to design a "post-war" tricycle.

It took. The Mazda GB model, which was announced in April 1949, when the storm of the Dodge policy was raging, sold well despite the recession, and in March of the following year,

The PB model for passenger cars for taxis and the long-body LB model were added to the lineup in August, becoming a driving force in Japan's recovery.

In December 1951, President Jujiro retired and his eldest son Tsuneji took over as the second president. He has been active as an engineer since the early days of Mazda.

Mr. Tsuneji demonstrated superior management skills and technical sense that were not inferior to those of his predecessor.

Trucks and CF fire trucks, CT series three-wheeled trucks, as well as enclosed cabins, round steering wheels, and windshields are equipped with industry-leading safety

The Mazda-go, which continued to develop into the epoch-making HBR series three-wheeled truck that adopted all-laminated glass, was criticized by the general public as "flying" or "flying."

He was affectionately known as Nko.

The Night before "Coupe"

　The high-growth period from the mid-1940s marked the beginning of a new era of mass consumption, as well as the era of breaking away from the post-war black market era.

Electric washing machines, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners were called the "Three Sacred Treasures," and the number of television receivers in use exceeded one million.

　Conventional domestic car manufacturers have finally recovered from the slump caused by the Dodge policy, and have been groping in the dark in search of new markets. On the other hand, the military demand

Machine manufacturers, who quickly sensed the end of Qi, were eagerly awaiting opportunities to enter this promising industry.

On May 18, 1955, the morning editions of the Nihon Kogyo Shimbun and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the contents of the "Draft Guidelines for the Development of People's Cars." This is a passenger car of a certain standard.

-Cars competed, and the most excellent car among them was designated as a domestic car and concentrated production. The outline is as follows.

1) Maximum speed is 100km/h or more

2) Ride capacity is 4 people, or 2 people and 100kg or more luggage can be loaded.

3) Fuel consumption should be 30km/l or more at 60km/h on a flat road.

4) It can run more than 100,000 km without major repairs.

5) The factory cost shall be 150,000 yen or less per unit if the monthly production is 2,000 units or more. For that reason, the cost of purchased parts and raw materials is 100,000 yen or less per unit, and the direct man-hours are 70 hours.

keep it to no more than a minute. The selling price should be 250,000 yen or less.

6) Suitable engine displacement is 350-500cc and weight is 400kg or less.

7) The Ministry of International Trade and Industry encouraged trial production of national cars until June of the following year (Showa 31), and provided subsidies to several manufacturers that passed the primary performance test to be implemented from July.

Then, in the second test to be held in 1957, one car will be designated as a national car.

　Although it is a bold and grandiose concept that is somewhat outside the bureaucracy, it can be said that this is exactly the method of "competitive prototyping" used in aircraft prototyping during the war. child

It is not clear whether technical officer Akira Kawahara, who drafted the people's car concept, had this fact in mind. However, the technology that was active at the front line of automobile development at that time

Among them, there were quite a few people who had come from airplanes, so for them it was like, "Ah, see you again."

I assume it wasn't. But, apart from the method, the content was different. Zero type battleship, the so-called zero

It is said that the battle was born from a reckless request for a competitive prototype.

However, it was too reckless in all respects.

　In September of the same year, four months after the proposal was drafted, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, an organization of automobile manufacturers, agreed that production would not be possible under the price and performance conditions of the proposal.

We submitted our opinion to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

　Thus, this large-scale project, unprecedented in the history of Japanese automobiles, ended up being shelved without ever seeing the light of day. but the country

The People's Concept greatly aroused the interest of the common people, who thought that automobiles were just a dream. And I want you to make a car that you can buy yourself

Expectations for the automaker have risen inevitably. On the other hand, automobile manufacturers and machinery manufacturers are

In an attempt to be the first to do so, they embarked on the development of an ultra-compact car all at once. Many of them ended up only in planning or prototyping, or only a few without technology.

There was a car that appeared like a twinkling star while the production was discontinued.

　Subaru 360. Fuji Heavy Industries, whose predecessor was Nakajima Airplane, which produced numerous famous aircraft from the dawn of Japan's aviation era, developed the aircraft by gathering the best of aircraft technology.

It is Japan's first full-scale mass-produced mini passenger car. With a maximum speed of 83 km/h and a fuel efficiency of 26 km/liter, it was heavy and slow to ride.

It seemed that the public would jump on this car, which dispelled the image of being uncomfortable.

　However, contrary to expectations, Subaru sales were sluggish. The reason for this was the relatively high price of 425,000 yen. Sashimono Subaru is also a country

It was not enough to clear the biggest problem of minsha.

Coupe's debut

April 22, 1960, New Grand Hotel in Harumi, Tokyo.

This is the venue where the Mazda Coupe R360, Toyo Kogyo's first foray into the four-wheel passenger vehicle market, was announced.

Rumors that Toyo Kogyo was developing a minicar had been circulating for some time, and it seemed like it was finally here, but the press corps that had gathered there said it was.

I was amazed by the unique styling and advanced mechanism of the. The body and other designs have been designed exclusively for the post-war Mazda.

It was designed by Jiro Kosugi, a part-time contractor, but later he was in charge of designing Cosmo Sports for the design of parts of the interior and tail lamps.

Heiji Kobayashi, an in-house designer who will be doing it, was participating.

The vehicle height of 1290mm (when empty) was the lowest among domestic cars at the time, and the compact sports coupe style was unique in the world.

However, this was a style that was possible because the seating arrangement was divided into 2 + 2 types, 2 adults and 2 children or luggage.

In addition, careful attention has been paid to weight reduction, and the bonnet and engine hood, headlight frame, side window frame, and wheel cap

It seemed to be careful to use aluminum for such things. In addition, the sliding side window and the wraparound rear window are three

A surface-treated acrylic resin called "Acrylite" developed by Ryokasei contributed to further weight reduction.

　Like the VW Beetle, the engine mounted vertically on the rear is a forced air-cooled V-twin OHV 356cc 4-cycle, which can be said to be the true value of Toyo Kogyo.

It generated horsepower of 16ps/5300rpm and torque of 2.2kg/m/4000rpm. This was an unusual high-rpm setting for those days. even lighter

For rocker arm covers, oil pans, dynamo drive pulleys, cooling fans, etc., magnesium alloys, cylinders

Aluminum alloy was used for the head, crankcase, etc., and a dry sump system similar to that used in racing cars was used for the lubrication system.

　There are two types of transmissions: a 4-speed MT (KRBB car) and an AT with a 2-speed auxiliary transmission called Torque Drive (KRBC car).

I had a choice and could choose one. Of course, it is the first mini vehicle with a torque converter. Development and manufacturing technology for this torque converter

Regarding technology, Toyo Kogyo entered into a technical partnership with Okamura Seisakusho, which released Japan's first torque converter vehicle "Mikasa" in October of the previous year.

　Suspension is a 4-wheel independent suspension with a trailing arm system that uses original torsion rubber springs.

This contributes greatly to ensuring the comfort of a large-sized vehicle.

　In addition, safety laminated glass was used for the windshield. This is "We are taught by customers and let us improve the car

There is While accepting this humbly, we must not forget to repay the kindness.”

　The coupe was a head-to-toe genius, but what surprised reporters more than anything was its price.

300,000 yen!

　The Subaru 360 was priced at 388,000 yen after reviewing its pricing, but it is 80,000 yen lower than this, and the commercial vehicle Suzulight

It passed the TL (398,000 yen) and the Subaru 360 commercial (365,000 yen) and approached a light three-wheeled vehicle. By the way, this price is for MT

Because of this, torque drive vehicles are 20,000 yen higher.

　"100,000 yen down payment, 5,000 yen every month, 4 installments of 20,000 yen each at the time of bonus for 2 years, and an installment interest rate of about 15,000 yen. The maintenance fee is

It costs about 2,600 yen a month,” explains President Tsuneji Matsuda. There are many mid-level salaried workers who can make monthly installments of this level and earn more than 40,000 yen in take-home pay.

Although I was there, the starting salary for university graduates at the time was about 15,000 yen, so it was still a high-level flower. The current starting salary is 150,000 yen

If so, the coupe is worth 3 million yen. For ordinary households, this is a very expensive purchase. but the car is easy

It can be said that the price difference with rivals was effective because it was a luxury product that could not be touched.

Demand was also anticipated as a business vehicle for banks and shops that could carry light loads such as documents and product samples. For these industries

In addition to being more convenient than weather-dependent motorcycles and scooters and having the advantage of being lockable, it also serves as a status symbol for customers.

Automobiles, with their promising results, were one of the most attractive tools of the trade.

　At the same time as the presentation, a magazine photo shoot was held in the courtyard of the nearby Harumi International Trade Center (now the Harumi International Trade Fair).

A production prototype of each KRBC was exhibited. It is not certain whether a test drive was conducted, but articles in magazines and newspapers reporting this

Considering that it was all about the style and style, it would be reasonable to think that it ended up as a demonstration run.

　In any case, Toyo Kogyo's entry into four-wheeled passenger vehicles went very smoothly.

It was received with no small sensation.

A biography of Jiro Kosugi

　If you want to look at a machine, you should look at its author. Regarding the company Toyo Kogyo, which can be said to be the creator of the coupe,

Stated. However, when it comes to the design of the coupe, the story is different. In the book of things,

“The coupe was styled by industrial designer Jiro Kosugi, the second son of renowned Japanese painter Hoan Kosugi.”

a. However, I didn't know the painter Hoan Kosugi, and even Jiro Kosugi was famous like Giugiaro and Bugatti.

Do not mean.

　Through the coupe, I became very interested in Jiro Kosugi and his work. The scope of what I can write with the materials I have at hand is limited.

I would like to briefly summarize his career up to his involvement with Mazda, so to speak, the roots of coupe design.

　Not only the coupe, but all of his works are somewhat outdated, so to speak, have a sci-fi flavor. Also, in his sketchbook, how

Ornithopter (flapping plane) that seems to appear in science fiction novels, and a two-axis reversing rotor inspired by an American-made whisk

It is said that many helicopters with

　Jiro Kosugi and SF. The two actually have a strange relationship. And it was his father, Hoan Kosugi (real name Kunitaro), who connected the two.

　Do you know a writer named Shunro Oshikawa? A science adventure novel writer and adventure magazine editor who was active in the late Meiji era. His masterpiece "Umi

The Soko Gunkan" series was reprinted many times after the war, so if you are a little older, you may remember it with nostalgia. Classics in recent years

Science fiction researchers are re-evaluating him as the father of Japanese science fiction ahead of Juzo Unno and Minetaro Yamanaka. Harunami is also known as the Tengu Club.

He is also known for hosting social groups and making efforts to promote various sports, including baseball.

　One of Harunami's closest friends and a founding member of the Tengu Club. Covers and illustrations for Harunami's magazines "Boken Sekai" and "Bukyo Sekai".

was in charge of the first issue, Kosugi Misei, later Kosugi Hoan. The Importance of Illustrations in Magazines for the Launch of "Boken Sekai"

Harunami, who understood this, welcomed Misake, who was working at Kinjigahosha, led by Doppo Kunikida, and aimed for visual editing that other magazines did not have.

　Jiro Kosugi was born in March 1914, after the death of Harunami, but Misei continued to draw illustrations for adventure novels, so his father

I can't imagine Jiro looking at the aerial warships, undersea fortresses, and all-purpose railway cars that his parents drew.

　Jiro seems to have been a very clever and dexterous child. When he was thirteen, he was rewarded by his father for making a biwa-like instrument. Showa 8

At the age of 18, he entered the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (currently Tokyo University of the Arts), which was said to be a difficult school at the time, and graduated smoothly in 2013. he went to the craft department

The reason is unknown, but it is probably because he was good with his hands and liked woodworking. At any rate, it can be said that his future was decided here. Graduation production is a chair

and set the table.

　Jiro entered military service in Mudanjiang and Gongzhuling in northeastern China after a gap of about a year after graduating. At that time, Gongzhuling was home to the 3rd tank tank belonging to the Kwantung Army.

There was a corps and a cadre candidate training school called "Gongzhuling School". Jiro is believed to have been among the 240 students in the first batch of students at this school. graduate a year later

I was assigned to the material shop of the 5th Tank Regiment in Aihe, Mudanjiang Province. For the time being, it is not the front line

The family must have felt relieved. Furthermore, in November 1941, the newly established Army Armored Headquarters in Setagaya

As one of the first students of the Bei School, he underwent four months of executive candidate training. He returned to the main unit in March 2017 after the outbreak of the Pacific War, and was dismissed as a lieutenant in February 2019.

are in a squad This is probably a discharge to coincide with the unit's southward movement.

In April of the same year, Jiro was able to work at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Craft Guidance Center Tokyo Honjo, his original place of work. The craft guidance center is an industrial craft, that is, the Indus

It was established in 1928 with the aim of promoting trial design.

He was designing wooden "substitutes" and wooden airplanes. Jiro also has a training aircraft called "red dragonfly" and an observation aircraft called "dove" (Nippon Airways)

Is it a Type 3 command liaison machine? ) seems to have been involved in the design of wooden chairs.

After that, in March 1945, when the air raids intensified, he had a busy wedding ceremony with Chizuko, the second daughter of Takayoshi Harishige mentioned above.

His house in Tabata burned down, and one month later he was drafted again and joined the 45th Tank Regiment, which was newly established in Tsudanuma.

After going through the schedule, in 1947, shortly after the war, he opened his own design studio. In addition, regarding the military career, etc., please refer to the materials

This is an estimate based on the overall results, and should be interpreted as a reference only.

　In 1952, during the period of development of industrial design in Japan, he was involved in the establishment of JIDA (Japan Industrial Designers Association).

Since its establishment, he served as director until 1961, and chairman from 1968 to 1969.

　During his tenure as chairman, he came into direct conflict with the Good Design Selection Committee of the Design Promotion Council of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, which was established at that time.

“The Good Design Selection Committee of the Design Council selects Good Designs as the only organization in the name of the government and affixes the G mark to them.

It can be said that it is a leadership spirit like the impatience and pushy former Japanese military department who overturned the subject. Tens of millions of users and thousands of people live

I think that the corporate body that is in the middle of the day, like the soldiers of the former Japanese army, will truly "turn right to the right" with the command of a specific person, "This is good design."

If so, it's a naive idea, and it shouldn't be done."

As is the case today, among companies, the idea of ​​​​how much is one G mark was widespread. Use the authoritative G mark as a means of publicity

I thought. In response to this, Jiro Kosugi, who believed that true good design should be decided by consumers, declined to be a member.

made a decision. For better or worse, this episode symbolizes his sense of justice and rebellious spirit.

　Until his death in September 1981 at the age of 65, his works were not limited to transportation machinery, but also electrical appliances, sewing machines, tools, and safes.

has passed to

In terms of automobiles, in 1965, a prototype car "MK600" (collaboration with Mr. Fumio Matsumoto) that pursued the possibilities of carrozzeria in Japan was built in one district.

Although he cut it, it can be said that the influence he gave to the backwards was very large.

Overcome "A dull Turtle"

Looking at the remaining photos, it is a very stylish car with a face that seems to be conscious of the Citroen DS19. Like "Akanbe"

The method of combining a round headlight frame with a triangular turn signal is similar to the Mazda K360, and it is clearly a Kosugi design. rear tie

I can only imagine that Le has a side window that slightly wraps around the rear, just like the NSU Prinz 600 of the same age.

It looks like By the way, in the background of this photo is a jacked-up Subaru, which seems to have been used as a reference for research.

It can be judged that it is from 1933 onwards.

　Mr. Masataka Matsui, who was the chief of the mechanical modeling section during the development of the coupe, has this to say about this car.

"I think it was made about two years before the coupe. I think the engine was the same as the K360. Anyway, it was heavy and weak, so it worked well.

didn't run I can't run without it. That's why it got the nickname "Dongame". I think there was also an official design number,

I have forgotten it. Anyway, it was an unattractive car. So, we decided that we had to make it light, and we decided to make Operation Gram.

After doing that, we incorporated a lot of aluminum, magnesium, and plastic into the coupe.”

　Toyo Kogyo didn't want to throw away the familiar 4-cycle engine. Maintains stable power over a long period of time, over the entire speed range

There are fundamental problems with the 2-stroke engine, such as constant running, noise, white smoke, gasoline and oil consumption, etc.

I wondered if it was the engine.

The development team felt that it would be impossible to accommodate four people as long as they used an air-cooled 4-stroke engine, which was disadvantageous in terms of output compared to a 2-stroke engine.

I decided to adopt a 2+2 coupe layout. When these cars are used, 65% of them are occupied by one person, and 10% are occupied by four.

This was because the statistics showed that it was about the same. As for the engine, a new lightweight engine that is different from the K360 was designed. The outline was shown earlier

That's right.

　With this great decision, we were able to reduce the area of ​​steel plates and structural materials, and realized a lightweight body of 380kg. However, the torque converter vehicle is about 8kg heavier.

became.

It was decided to leave the RR drive system as it is. At that time, the Suzulight, which was released ahead of the industry, was an FF system (front engine front

Wheel drive (currently the mainstream of passenger cars) was adopted, and in 1959 (Showa 34), the ADO15, the so-called mini, was announced in England. Toyo Ko

Even in the industry, I purchased Citroen DS19 and Dina Panhard and studied FF. But what about the front constant velocity joint?

Even so, it was unlikely that it could be made cheaply. In addition, the driver's foot circumference can be easily removed even though the overall length is short, and the vehicle height is lowered.

A conventional rear engine was chosen because torque fluctuations in the cylinder engine had an adverse effect on steering.

rice field.

　The torsion rubber suspension was originally intended to rely solely on the damping force due to the internal friction of the rubber, without a damper. According to Mr. Matsui

palce,

"I tried various things, but rubber with a lot of damping gets tired.

I had no choice but to put on a shock absorber because I couldn't stand up. And you can adjust the vehicle height with serrations so that you don't have to worry.

I did it."

　The coupe, which overcomes the shortcomings of the "Dongame" in this way, was well received.

By the end of the year, it had produced 23,417 units, almost double Subaru's 12,803 sales for the entire year.

　In February 2019, at the same time as the "New Type Mazda Coupe", which underwent modifications such as replacing the aluminum parts of the body with iron,

A deluxe version of the model announced at the 7th All Japan Auto Show "Mazda Coupe Deluxe" was released. Also, in May

A handicapped model based on the Kon car was also added.

　The coupe was well received for its quiet, low-odor 4-cycle engine and smooth ride, but many rivals such as the Publica appeared.

Due to the absolute lack of horsepower and the lack of sufficient improvement, the number of units sold has been steadily decreasing since 1937, and Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.

The leading role is handed over to the new car Carol. Production continued after that, but production for the general public was discontinued in 1941, and for the disabled in 1944.

is what happened.

《Appendix》 Change of "Coupe"

　As for the coupe, there is no Mazda data from that time, so it is impossible to check the relationship between the exact changes and the chassis number.

It has become. The answer from Mazda's customer service department is

"We don't have any records from that time, and even if we do, we can't provide them."

That's what it was. Therefore, the following records are not necessarily correct. However, I can assure you that it is currently the most accurate in Japan.

Because I don't think anyone else has done this work. In addition, the era name is shown in the Western calendar.

Prototype car: Around April 1960

(1) 1960 model (earliest model): Released in May 1960

・Chassis number 10001-34000?

・KRBB 300,000, KRBC 320,000

・The fender mirror and wiper are only on the right side (only on the left side for left-hand drive vehicles)

・Sliding side windows made of acrylic

・Aluminum headlamp rims, wheel caps, bonnet, engine hood, and sliding window frame

・Weight 380kg (unladen)

・Thin generator type

・The dynamo drive pulley is hollowed out

・Pipe spoke type steering

Optional side projector (drafter)

・Hydraulic pressure, reverse charging warning lamp and turn signal indicator lamp in the center of the dashboard

・The cross section of the turn signal switch and light switch lever is square.

・The ashtray is at the bottom center of the dashboard

・The door lock lever in the room is flat

・The door striker is integrated with the door dovetail

・Plastic key switch holder

・Car heater is optional

・Three types of body colors Summerset Blue (blue)

　　 Malone Rouge (shrimp tea)

　 　Opal green (yellow green)

DX model prototype: Exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 1960. The difference from the production type DX is that the side window is a slide instead of a roll-up type.

be de. Only one seems to be available.

(2) Early 1961 model: Released in February 1961

・ Chassis number 34000? ~50000?

・Deluxe model added

・KRBB 310,000, KRBC 330,000, deluxe 30,000 yen higher

・Abolition of the shelf (parcel rack) under the dashboard

・The cross section of the switch levers is round.

・The ashtray has been moved to the center of the dashboard.

・The side window is a roll-up type of glass.

・There are two wipers on the left and right

- Pocket inside the door

・The headlamp rims, wheel caps, and side window frames are plated with iron, and the bonnet and engine hood are made of iron.

・Weight increased to 395kg

- Reinforced front hub bearings

・Inner lining changed

・Meter is larger

・Moved the warning lamp under the meter nacelle (the turn signal indicator lamp was abolished)

・The key switch holder has been changed from plastic to pressed iron.

・3 standard body colors (no change)

　Deluxe 2 types Top: Somerset Blue or Malone Rouge

　 Bottom: Alpine white two-tone color

・In May 1961, disabled people were added (10,000 yen higher. Accelerator and brake are manually operated).

・Deluxe-only equipment is as follows:

　　two tone body color

　　The floor mat becomes a tufton mat

　　Curtains on the rear window

　　with side molding

　　Gold-plated emblems

　　Deluxe mark added under the MAZDA mark on the rear

　　2 left and right rearview mirrors

　　White ribbon tire installed

　　Equipped with window washer (manual)

　　Car heater can be switched in the car

　　Optional car radio

(3) Late 1961 model: June 1961? release

・ Chassis number 50000? ~66000?

・Equipped with 2-barrel cab (Hitachi VAB28 → Hitachi DCA264)

・Generator becomes a thick type

(4) 1963 model: release date unknown

・ Chassis number 66000? ~70000?

・The deluxe model has been discontinued.

2 body colors

　Victoria Gray: MT car

　　　Brushed blue: Turkish car

(5) 64 model: release date unknown

・ Chassis number 70000? ~76972?

・With side molding

・Body Color: Gabiano Gray

　The Mazda Coupe was discontinued in December 1966 with KRBB76972. However, only handicapped vehicles will be made-to-order until 1969 (probably in stock vehicles)

(addition of manual control device) was carried out. The total production volume is said to be 65737 units. Regarding exports, several hundred units (left-hand drive KRBBL

and KRBCL), and 41 units (right-hand drive) were exported to Australia.

Data adapted from: http://r360coupe.la.coocan.jp/history.htm